'Maybe a red card' - Chelsea boss Mauricio Pochettino admits Malo Gusto fortunate to escape sending off for challenge on Willian

With the score still at 0-0, Gusto reached to challenge Willian but caught the former Chelsea winger's ankle in what appeared a rash tackle. Chelsea would go on to score just 10 minutes later and win the game 1-0. Fulham will feel aggrieved the card Gusto received was yellow and not red, and Pochettino shared his thoughts on the incident after the game.

Pochettino told BBC Sport: "It was a challenge, a difficult one for the referees and VAR. We've already suffered some sending offs for actions like this. I'm not going to say nothing, I accept and understand that it was maybe a red card. I don't want to say too much because I've not seen all the angles. That is football though, sometimes it is for you and sometimes it isn't."

Chelsea's victory takes them up to eighth in the Premier League, leapfrogging Manchester United and Newcastle. Although the sides around them have games in hand, the Blues boss will be pleased to see his side reestablishing themselves higher up the table after a dismal 2023.

The Blues have work to do in the second leg of the Carabao Cup following a shock 1-0 defeat to Middlesbrough at the Riverside Stadium. They host Boro on January 23.